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July 3, 2013

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Police intensify hunt for terrorists in Xinjiang

China has begun a crackdown on weapons and is offering rewards of up to 100,000 yuan (US$16,000) for information leading the arrest of those responsible for terrorist attacks in its northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Xinjiang police also published a list of 11 suspected terrorists wanted in connection with murders and bombings in the region since the middle of 2011.

They included the killing of two guards at a high school in Hotan City on April 25 and an unspecified number of workers at a construction site in Moyu County on June 20.

All but one of the 11 suspects are in their 20s, according to Xinjiang's news portal (www.ts.cn). The announcements came after 16 knife-wielding extremists killed 24 people last Wednesday in Shanshan County of Turpan Prefecture. Police shot and killed 11 of the attackers and apprehended the other five.

Police said they were confiscating daggers and knives with blades longer than 22 centimeters as well as guns, bullets, grenades, explosives and other weapons.

There were also demands for the surrender of materials promoting terrorist ideology, and computers, cellphones and other devices containing such content.

Police also offered rewards for information about terrorist activity that helped solve major crimes or led to arrests. Those who knowingly harbor, protect or help violent terrorist criminals will be prosecuted, police said.

Meanwhile, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying has called on other countries to understand and support China's efforts to safeguard social stability.

She had been asked about remarks made by the European Union's Ambassador to China Markus Ederer about last week's attacks. On Monday, Ederer said the EU believed "it is necessary to address the underlying causes of ethnic tensions in order to achieve lasting stability and prosperity."

Hua said China and Europe were both victims of terrorism and should firmly oppose any form of terrorist attack.

"Terrorism is not only the enemy of the people of Xinjiang and China, but also the common enemy of human beings," she said.

Any responsible government would never condone such actions. Instead, it would take resolute measures to protect the lives and property of its citizens, she said.

Hua called on foreign countries to show understanding and support for necessary measures China takes to safeguard the safety of its people and their property.








 

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